Kansas approved for BEAD funds, one step closer to closing the digital cap

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -Kansas is now among the first three states to get help boosting broadband access for everyone.

Kansas, along with Nevada and West Virginia can now request access to funding and begin implementing the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment, also known as BEAD program funds. Over $451.7 million is available for Kansas alone.

This stems from the Biden-Harris administration’s, “Internet for All,” initiative that was created to connect everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.

Jade Piros de Carvalho serves as the Director for the Kansas Office of Broadband Development and emphasizes that Governor Kelly created the Office of Broadband back in 2020 for this reason.

“To get every Kansan home and business affordable, high-speed reliable broadband access by the end of the decade and the approval of this is is really going to pave the way to make that bold vision a reality,” Piros de Carvalho explained.

To participate in the BEAD program, states and other eligible entities were required to submit a letter of intent and a planning funds budget. From there, they unlocked and received $ 5 million to create a five-year action plan.

“We did that with the input of more than 2,000 Kansans from every corner of the state, so it is a plan built from the bottom up with the needs of those living in the digital divide in mind,” Piros de Carvalho said.

The state plans to prioritize getting affordable and reliable internet to underserved and rural locations. Areas of concentration include Northwest, Southwest, and a large portion of Southeast Kansas.

The difficult part will be deciding how to balance fiber and alternate options with the allocated funds.

Affordability was and will continue to be an important factor in the planning process.

“We all know that it does not do any bit of good to have infrastructure running past your home if you can’t afford to take advantage of it. One thing that NTIA encouraged and required in these plans was that providers put forth a lost cost option and middle-class option.”

Piros de Carvalho said the specific project funding areas will be released sometime next month and the bidding process will begin in July.

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